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Ms Emma Westlake

Experimental Scientist

https://people.csiro.au/W/E/emma-westlake

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Biography

Emma Westlake is a marine scientist who has been involved in research to advance knowledge and management of marine species both within Australian waters and abroad. She has a multidisciplinary background and subsequent skillset in tropical and temperate reef ecology, marine protected area management and operations, invasive marine pest research and mitigation, fisheries science, marine conservation, and shark and turtle ecology (population dynamics, behaviour and movement), and has extensive field experience including diving and boating operations. Her work has involved the development of monitoring and removal programs for invasive kelp species, the investigation of shark deterrent device efficacy, biological and ecological research and monitoring (reef health assessments, benthic, fish and invertebrate surveys, animal tagging), and the undertaking of research and stock assessments of major scalefish species in South Australia.

Her current focus is large pelagic predator (fish and shark) ecology, acoustics and telemetry, and Indigenous engagement. She also assists on many projects with scientific/commercial diving and boating operations.

Other Interests

Elasmobranch ecology, movement and behaviour;
Animal tagging and telemetry;
Indigenous partnerships;
Community outreach and engagement;
Microplastics and plastic-associated chemical effects

Academic Qualifications

  • 2015

    Master of Applied Science (Marine Environment) with Honours
    University of Tasmania

  • 2012

    Bachelor of Marine Science
    James Cook University

  • 2019

    Part 1 Commercial Diver
    ADAS

  • 2016

    Coxswains Grade 1 (Near Coastal)
    AMSA

  • 2015

    Part 1 Restricted Diver (Scientific Diver)
    ADAS

Achievements and Awards

  • 2022-2022

    Non-cash award
    CSIRO

  • 2021-2021

    Non-cash award
    CSIRO

  • 2019-2019

    Non-cash award
    CSIRO

Current Roles

  • Senior Experimental Scientist
    Coastal Ecosystems & Modelling

  • Dive Co-ordinator
    O&A

Professional Experiences

  • 2018-Present

    Senior Experimental Scientist - Marine Ecologist
    CSIRO

  • 2017-2018

    Marine Ranger
    Parks Victoria

  • 2015-2017

    Research Services Officer
    South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI)

  • 2015-2015

    Scientific Diver
    Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS)

  • 2013-2013

    White Shark Research Internship
    Oceans Research, South Africa

  • 2012-2012

    Marine Conservation and Research Internship
    Global Vision International, Seychelles

  • 2010-2012

    Curatorial Assistant
    ReefHQ Aquarium, Townsville

  • 2009-2009

    Project Leader
    International Student Volunteers

  • 2008-2008

    Research Assistant
    WIDECAST, Costa Rica

  • 2007-2008

    Research Assistant
    Proyecto Baula Ostional, Costa Rica

Community and Corporate Citizenship

  • 2018-Present

    O&A Dive Co-ordinator

  • 2022-2022

    Site Dive Officer (Crawley)

  • 2022-2022

    O&A Lab Custodian IOMRC CSIRO Biogeochemistry Lab

  • 2018-2022

    O&A Lab Custodian IOMRC CSIRO Benthic Ecology Lab

We have publications by Ms Emma Westlake